Alister Aintellin

Here we are, at the 10th Anniversary of the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland. The 80's ruled with these bands but for this anniversary so many questions were being asked...who would headline? would the pavilion roof be ready and safe? what vendors would show up? will people remember where they parked with all the new lots? will the VIP area be completed? All of this could be heard as a huge line of fans formed outside the west gate. None of that matters much though once the music we love was blasting and the bands were rocking!

The VIPs had early entry and were treated to an acoustic set from Frank Hannon of Telsa. Forming his own record label, Red Hawk Records, Frank played heavily from his new cover album "From One Place ....To Another". Frank admitted he wasn't comfortable singing which is why the album and tour are full of covers such as Blue Sky and Hush. Regardless though he sounded very comfortable as his voice was on point and of course his playing was phenomenal. Not to sly any of the Tesla fans Frank ended his set with Signs.

The acoustic set was nice but it was time to get rocking. Who better then Pretty Boy Floyd, the leather boyz with electric toys took over. Cranking out all the fan favorites including I Wanna Be With You, Rock n Roll (is gonna set the night on fire) as well as a few from their 2017 release Public Enemies. Ending with a crushing rendition of Motley Crue's Live Wire.

As the pavilion seats filled and the crowd on the lawn grew fast, all were ready for Matthew and Gunner Nelson to take the stage. After a great complete set of hits, they dedicated a song to their recently departed mother. Nelson then revved it back up inviting Frank Hannon back out to play Garden Party and Whole Lotta Love.

With the return of a healthy and sober Taime Dowde, Faster Pussycat took to the stage to a standing ovation from the fans. The boys in the band responded with an amazing set. Songs included Jack Bastard, House of Pain, Cathouse, Slip of the Tongue and my personal favorite Bathroom Wall. Faster pussycat is definitely a mainstay on this festival stage.

Continuing the riot, Dave Menikktte and Y&T hit the stage cramming a bunch of hits into their set. Black Tiger, Mean Streak, Eyes of a Stranger, Summertime Girls and Forever to name a few. These California boys always have a home in Maryland at M3

Kix, the hometown favorite, were up next to hit our senses. It was a big night for the band but a bigger treat for the audience as they played the entire album of Blow My Fuse in celebration of its release 30 years ago. A testament to that album and the band, they both still rock!

Closing out the night was none other then Cinderella's Tom Keifer and his band. Playing songs from his latest solo album "The Way Things Go" and the greatest hits of Cinderella. The rock n roll soul poured from each member of this band. Their version of Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help From My Friends" was better then the original version...or maybe I was just overcome by the magic of the M3 Rock Festival. See you for day two.